Azerbaijan Duo Wins Eurovision

Eldar Kasimov and Nigyar Djamal of Ell/Nikki representing Azerbaijan perform their song “Running Scared” during the Eurovision final in Duesseldorf, Germany.

DUSSELDORF, Germany — So, this year was meant to be all about the return of the West. Up to a point, it was; Italy came second, the U.K. went from last place in 2010 to 11th this year. Returning winner Lena, from Germany, landed at No. 10. But the winner is… Azerbaijan. “It must have pleased a lot of the juries,” the German commentator said, hinting that the former Soviet nation had won on the grounds of merit, not just neighborly support.

As the champagne — or non-alcoholic alternatives — are popped in Baku, it’s worth noting that Azerbaijan is one of the countries that doesn’t just represent new Europe in the post-communist sense, but isn’t even European at all by most people’s reckoning; like Israel, Russia and Turkey, their membership of the European Broadcasting Union is a pub quiz question favorite. Some countries even see EBU membership as precursor to joining NATO or the EU.

“We’re so happy, we love you guys, we love you,” the winners screamed with the eloquence of Eurovision champions, a group who give Miss World candidates a run for their money in the verbal elegance stakes.

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In any case, it’s a perfectly pleasant tune; and another representation of the status this quirky marriage of geopolitics and kitsch has for bringing together differing ideas of Europe in this increasingly complicated continent.

Comments (5 of 14)

I think who ever prase this song ,must be from azerbaijan.I myself thout the production was o.k. but not great at all.I live and work in Los Angeles as a music producer and was invited by Eurovision to Düsseldorf for the contest.My personal favorite were the German and the Hungarian girls.The woting was the funniest part and was a bit to political for me, don't want to talk about it .After all I had a great time there.Thank you Düsseldorf!

12:12 pm May 16, 2011

H Silk wrote:

This song was absolutely terrible. Eurovision gets a little worse every year and like a lot of things was much better years ago. I'm in the US but get TV from Spain and have been able to see old Eurovision contests on a Nostalgia channel. I wsih we could bring back the 60's-70's. Those were great songs and talented people. No gimmicks.

1:25 am May 16, 2011

EuroBoy wrote:

Azeri song was great and my favourite. I am amazed with the success of this country. I shall learn more about this culture and be ready next year when the Eurovision takes place in Baka.

8:57 pm May 15, 2011

Matt wrote:

It seems, that the voting mechanism isn't well known. 50% of the vote is done my televoting. This year the audiences of 43(!) countries have voted for the winning title. No oil money in the world can pay the TV viewers of 43 countries!! Guess you have to look for another reason...

7:48 am May 15, 2011

Anonymous wrote:

HOW DID THEY MAKE IT IN THE TOP TEN!! I GUESS OIL MONEY CAN BUY ANYTHING!

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